Although 2020 brought challenges that have radically changed daily life, nowhere was this felt more than for how children learn and thrive. STJCC’s 5-year-olds proved remarkably resilient and adaptable during this unique year. In this article we explore the nine remarkable accomplishments of STJCC“s young learners, including developmental milestones and the creative ways educators have been teaching in a time of uncertainty.
Mastering Early Literacy Skills
Literacy is by far one of 5 year old’s most important growth areas. Traditional methods of early literacy development had their challenges, but at STJCC educators developed creative ways to achieve this goal. Many of the books were read aloud to the children in an interactive way to encourage them to explore the books in meaningful ways. It was storytime where the children not only listened but took part by predicting outcomes and discussing characters.
However, rhyming games and song lyrics containing repetition and rhythm were used by educators to build phonemic awareness. By the end of 2020, many children could recognize their names and a few high-frequency sight words, making big steps in literacy.
Building Social Skills Through Play
Throughout the pandemic, the play was often referred to as ‘the work of children’ and its importance greatly increased. Structured play activities that encouraged collaboration and communication were used to create social interaction at STJCC. We used group games, building activities, and imaginative play scenarios to practice important social skills.
Through these interactions, children develop the skills of sharing, taking turns, and resolving conflicts, all very important to emotional and social development. This is where teachers would discuss feelings and behaviors and why feeling angry can lead to bad behaviors.
Exploring STEM Concepts
At STJCC STEM education (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) was a major focus, with a heavy emphasis on hands-on, inquiry-based learning. The challenges of the year notwithstanding, educators devised instructive activities to pique the interest of youngsters.
All kinds of experiments were done with baking soda vinegar, we did simple chemical reactions, building blocks to create structures, observing natural phenomena during outdoor exploration, and much more. It developed a good balance of critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Developing Fine Motor Skills
Fine motor skills are necessary for writing, drawing, and self-care skills. In recognition of this, STJCC developed activities to build these skills through playful learning experiences.
Safety scissors were used to practice cutting, beads were threaded, and arts and crafts were done. They weren’t only learning to be dexterous, but they were also learning to trust themselves with tools and materials. By the end of the year, many children had learned how to grip crayons or pencils in ways that allowed them to express their creativity through drawing and written expression and expressions.
Embracing Technology
How children interact with technology had to adapt to the shift to remote learning during the pandemic. The subject of integrating age-appropriate tech into the curriculum caught the eye of STJCC, who used this as an opportunity to introduce 5-year-olds to digital learning in a safe and structured manner.
Interactive learning apps, that encourage literacy and math skills through games and games were introduced to the educators. Virtual storytime was organized around the goal of connecting children to their peers and their educators, and to each other; even from far away, there was a sense of community. The digital literacy gained by this exposure not only enabled them to deal with the world of the tech-dominated world but also prepared them for a world driven by technology.
Fostering Emotional Awareness
During a year of tremendous uncertainty, emotional intelligence became a focus for the educators at STJCC. Realizing the significance of emotional awareness, educators came up with a safe zone for kids to communicate their emotions and get to know their emotions.
It encouraged children to name and state the feelings they have and tell stories of how others have felt about various things. By creating “feelings charts” they were able to visualize how they felt and knew it’s ok to feel an entire range of emotions. Such a focus on emotional literacy set the stage for developing empathy and healthy peer and adult relationships.
Cultivating a Love for Nature
During the pandemic, nature and the outdoors became a source of comfort and learning. Incorporating outdoor activities into the curriculum, STJCC took advantage of this.
Children were able to walk the fields and gardens with nature and learn about the environment through gardening projects and outdoor science activities. They learned about plants, insects, and the need to look after the Earth.
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Encouraging Independence
A skill critical for young children as they’re learning to prepare for future educational settings, independence is important for young children to learn. Children at STJCC learned to take ownership of their learning experiences.
Educators allowed children to make choices in activities and routines so that children would learn on their own. Different classroom jobs, like helping put away supplies, or helping with snack time, helped children to feel a sense of responsibility and pride. Independence in these children was stressed, which allowed them to build confidence in their abilities before the move to a more formal educational experience.
Building Community Connections
As with many others, STJCC ensured community and connection even during the social distancing times. Through virtual events and collaborative projects, educators opened up opportunities for children to work with their families and the community.
Kids learned about empathy, compassion, and social responsibility by making care packages for local shelters and helping with community clean-up initiatives. Doing these sorts of things helped them know what their place is in a community and how valuable it is to help other people.
Conclusion
In 2020, 5-year-olds at STJCC are a powerful reminder of the resilience and creativity of young learners. Against the backdrop of the pandemic, these children managed to thrive in an environment that prioritized holistic development. Working on their literacy skills helped them to develop connections through socialization and to explore the concepts of STEM. They built a strong foundation for future learning to be based on emotional awareness.
Beyond adaptation, educators at STJCC took innovative approaches that increased the entire learning experience. With technology as their embrace, independence to grow, and love for nature cultivated, they marveled that their children were still engaged and motivated to learn.
FAQ,s
What literacy skills did 5-year-olds develop at STJCC in 2020?
Children engaged in interactive reading sessions and learned to recognize letters and sight words.
How did play help children build social skills?
Structured play activities encouraged collaboration, sharing, and conflict resolution among peers.
What STEM concepts did children explore?
Kids participated in hands-on experiments and building activities that fostered critical thinking.
How were fine motor skills developed?
Activities like cutting, threading, and arts and crafts refined children’s dexterity and coordination.
What role did technology play in learning?
STJCC incorporated interactive apps and virtual sessions to enhance digital literacy in young learners.